Visiting the US is likely to be significantly more expensive thanks to the increased visa fees for the new US.
Congressman has approved a large new visa fee that will soon be applied to a large number of tourists entering the United States. As part of one of the Trump administration's big, beautiful legislation laws, which was signed into law on July 4th, US visitors who require a non-immigrant visa will be charged a new $250 “visa integrity fee.”
According to the language of the bill, the fee applies to “the alien issued a non-immigrant visa at the time of such issuance.” This means that anyone applying for a non-immigrant visa in any category that requires issuance to enter the US should expect a $250 bill, according to immigration law firm Envoy Global.
When an official begins collecting fees (the start date is of concern), the money goes to the US Treasury General Fund.
Travel industry experts are worried that new rates, which have already fallen in 2025, could further reduce the number of US tourists. Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the American Travel Association, was called “silly” in a statement released after Congress passed the bill on July 3.
“Increasing the fees for legal international visitors is equivalent to self-imposed tariffs on international travel expenditures, one of our country's largest exports,” Freeman said. “These fees are not reinvested in improving the travel experience and discourage foreign tourists from visiting at a time when they are already concerned about the welcoming experience and high prices.
The new rates will host major global events such as the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics, allowing you to throw big wrenches into plans for both potential visitors and travel companies.
It's everything travelers need to know about the new $250 price.
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Who needs to pay the new visa fee?
Non-immigrant travelers from countries not on the US visa waiver list must pay to enter the US. This means that most tourists coming from Africa, Latin America, South America, and some countries in Asia and the Middle East will be subject to the new $250 tax.
Travelers from Visa-free countries who visit the US for reasons requiring special visas are also required to pay. The fee applies to all student visas, work visas and other special visas (F-1 and F-2 student visas). J-1 and J-2 replacement visas. Temporary Work Visas for H1-B and H-4, and other employment and visitor categories.
Additionally, you will be charged a $250 payment in addition to other visa fees. This means that visitors must pay along with other interrelationship fees, anti-treat fees, and application fees for “machine-readable visas” (MRV).
Is the fee refundable?
Visa Integrity fees cannot be exempt or reduced. According to Envoy Global, the Department of Homeland Security could potentially refund visitors if they fully comply with the terms of their visa, by quickly departing the United States when the Visa permit period ends and extends their status as a non-immigrant or changes their status to a legal permanent resident.
Which countries are exempted?
This fee does not apply to tourists in countries that do not require a visa to enter the United States. This includes citizens of the country that are part of the US visa waiver program and most travelers from Canada and Bermuda.
